The Kent Smedbol and Susanna Fuller made statements and, with Matthew Hardy, answered questions.

Marilène Gill moved, — That the committee undertake a study to examine the possibility of undertaking a reform of the rules, laws and practices surrounding federal saltwater sportfishing for the Eastern Quebec region; that this study be based on the British Columbian experience in this area, as well as on the principles of access to the resource for coastal populations and the development of scientific data; that the Committee call witnesses, including scientists from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, representatives of First Nations, and interested stakeholder groups, to testify before the committee; and that the committee report its conclusions and recommendations to the House of Commons.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Mel Arnold, Richard Bragdon, Blaine Calkins, Marilène Gill, Gord Johns, John Williamson — 6;

NAYS: Jaime Battiste, Terry Beech, Serge Cormier, Ken Hardie, Robert J. Morrissey — 5.

Marilène Gill moved, — That the committee undertake a study on the Small Craft Harbours Program to determine whether the program’s directions are still relevant and whether it is still achieving its objectives, to examine the state of the national system of harbours, to determine whether funds are being distributed fairly among the various types of harbour facilities and regions, and to assess the importance of marine infrastructure on land use and on the development of coastal and First Nations communities.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Marilène Gill — 1;

NAYS: Mel Arnold, Jaime Battiste, Terry Beech, Richard Bragdon, Blaine Calkins, Serge Cormier, Ken Hardie, Robert J. Morrissey, John Williamson — 9.

Marilène Gill moved, — That the committee undertake a comprehensive study of seals that would examine the ecosystem impacts of seal overpopulation in the waters of Quebec and Eastern Canada, international experience in seal stock management, the domestic and international market potential for various seal products, social acceptability, and the socio-cultural importance of developing the seal hunt for coastal and First Nations communities with access to the resource.